The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-25
The Race tor the Championship.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION.
A Boat-RacinE Fizzle.

PULLMAN, ILL.,. July 23.-Probably the great
est fizzle of a boatrace ever rowed in the West
was the here this afternoon. in which Ed
ward Hanlan omualy defeated Jacob Gaudaur.
It had been announced that the contest would
be for the championship of America. $1,000
side and to each of the participants a slice of
the receipts at the gate. In addition, it was ex
pected the result would definitely decide whether
Hanlau, whom many people still believed to be the
worlds greatest oarsman had virtually closed
his career. The settled nothing, and
in no particular success, not even in the mat
ter OF gate receipts. About twelve hundred peo-
pie only were present, instead or the
5000 10000 expected. Those who
stay ed away had to congratulate
themselves. for the whole affair character
lied by execrable management. to say nothing
of the suspicion that the itself partook of
the.nature of hippodrome. Like the last con-
test between the two men. to-days race was
rowed under peculiar conditions The race on
Decoration day took place in the midst of a
binding RAIN that prevented d close watch being
kept. To-day they rowed IN the dark. and
watching of any kind impossible. When
Hanlan appeared in front of the grand stand,
Gaudeaur was quarter of mile away, out In
the middle OF the lake No one the shore
could him. and rumors OF all kinds were
prevalent. Some believed that he had been
capsized. while others thought that he had given
up and had been taken abroad the press boat.
Notwithstanding that the water was not par
ticularty rough, though fresh northwest breeze
was blowing, it was nearly p NJ. and the
moon was family shining before the two oars
made their appearance The delay was
two oarsmen, Gaudanr claiming that
me articles OF agreement guaranteed
him smooth water" At last
when everybody was famished and Disguised,
referee Alexander Harper, of the Pullman Ath-
letic Club, declared that lie would wait longer,
and Gaudaur must row or the would be
given to Hanen.
At the outset Gaudaur took the lead and was
half a length ahead long the pair could be
seen from the press boat. That was scarcely
more than third of the course, for the smoke
OF the tugs and darkness speedily hid them from
view. Both pulling thirty four"
strokes the minute. They had turned
the stake, and nearly half way to
the line before the wretched tue provided
a press boat again allowed sight or an oars
man. Hanlan now eight or ten boat lengths
ahead of Gaudaur, who was astonlshlngly vice
of the course. At this Jupcture 6audaur
spnrted in a way that showed he could have won
if he chose but though finishing on about equal
terms with HARLAN, near as could be Judged,
was disqualified by his position and the race
was given TO Hanlan-
After the contest was over, Mr. St john the
hacker of Gauiaur stated that he had told
Gaudaur to go out and lose the Mr. ST.
John explained that he did this, knowing that
Gaudaur could not afford to attempt win
when the agreement not complied with and
the wa ter much in favor of Hanlan Mr..
St John said he would allow the awarded
to Hanlan without struggle, only that he
wished satisfy rhe people by showing them
something for their money. Time, 2030